Calla lily plant named ‘Fantasia’

ABSTRACT

‘Fantasia’ is a new variety of calla lily plant having inflorescences with a red/purple-colored spathe that produces 4-12 inflorescences per tuber. The height of the top of an inflorescence above the soil can reach up to 48 cm. The leaves are green with transparent maculations present and have a leathery texture.

Botanical classification: Zantedeschia sprengeri.

Varietal denomination: ‘Fantasia’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of calla lily, botanically known as Zantedeschia sprengeri and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Fantasia’.

‘Fantasia’ is a product of a planned breeding program, which had the objective of creating Zantedeschia hybrids for pot flower production in a wide range of colors with a large, classic flower shape. The breeding program began in 1989, and the new cultivar is a seedling selected from the crossing of a Zantedeschia sprengeri selection referred to as Z030004 (female parent, unpatented) with a Zantedeschia sprengeri variety named ‘Garnet Glow’ (male parent, unpatented). ‘Fantasia’ was selected in 2010 by the inventor in 't Zand, The Netherlands as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross.

The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘Fantasia’ by tissue culture was performed by the inventor in September of 2013 in 't Zand, The Netherlands. Subsequent asexual reproductions by tissue culture at the same location have demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are retained and reproduced true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown from 12 to 14 weeks in 14 cm pots in 't Zand, The Netherlands under greenhouse conditions, which approximate those generally used in horticultural practice. Color references are made to The 2001 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used.

The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and determined to be basic characteristics of ‘Fantasia’ which, in combination, distinguish this calla lily as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Red/purple-colored spathes;     -   2. Large inflorescences; and     -   3. High inflorescence production.

Further, when compared to calla lily plant named ‘Samur’ (unpatented), the upper surface spathe color of ‘Samur’ varies between Red-Purple Group RHS 68B and 68D, whereas the upper surface spathe color of ‘Fantasia’ varies between Red-Purple Group RHS 60C and 63B.

Table 1 provides similarities and differences of ‘Fantasia’ to its parents, Zantedeschia sprengeri selection Z030004 and Zantedeschia sprengeri variety ‘Garnet Glow’.

TABLE 1 ‘Fantasia’ Similarities Differences Z030004 Spathe shape Spathe color Spathe size Plant height ‘Garnet Glow’ Leaf shape Number of inflorescences Spathe size Spathe shape

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, with the colors being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 is a close-up photograph of multiple inflorescences of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   The plant:     -   -   Size.—Height of the leaf canopy above the soil: 26-56 cm.             Height of top of inflorescences above the soil: 24-48 cm.             Diameter: 10-14 cm.         -   Form.—Erect.         -   Number of inflorescences per tuber.—Size 14-16 cm in             diameter: 4-7 inflorescences. Size 16-18 cm in diameter: 5-9             inflorescences. Size 18-20 cm in diameter: 6-10             inflorescences. Size 20+ cm in diameter: 8-12             inflorescences.         -   Branches.—Average Number: 6.7. Color: Between Green Group             RHS 143A and Yellow-Green Group RHS 144A.         -   Leaves.—Size: Width: 3-11 cm. Length: 14-33 cm. Number per             plant: 10-18. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Apiculate. Base:             Between attenuate and decurrent. Margin: Undulate; having a             color between Green Group RHS 143A and 143B. Color: Upper             surface: Green Group RHS 137A to Yellow-Green Group RHS             147A, having transparent maculations of approximately White             Group RHS 155A. Lower surface: Green Group RHS 137A to 137C,             having transparent maculations of approximately White Group             RHS 155A. Veins: Configuration: Pinnate. Color: Upper             Surface: Green Group RHS 137A to Yellow-Green Group RHS             147A. Lower Surface: Yellow-Green Group RHS 147A to 147B.             Surface quality: Leathery. Petiole: Length: 12-23 cm.             Diameter: 6-10 mm. Color: The base is White Group RHS 155A,             the upper part is Green Group RHS 143A to Yellow-Green Group             RHS 144A.         -   Roots.—Color: White. Branching: Similar to other             Zantedeschia varieties. -   The inflorescence and seeds:     -   -   Spathe.—Size: Length (measured from opening to tip):             8-15 cm. Width: 2.5-8 cm. Height: 3-8 cm. Color: Upper             surface: Varies between Red-Purple Group RHS 60C and 63B.             Lower surface: Varies between Red-Purple Group RHS 61B and             64A. Vein color: Between Red-Purple Group RHS 60A and 60B.             Shape: Cupped. Apex: Apiculate. Base: Obtuse. Margin:             Undulate. Texture: Smooth (upper and lower surfaces).         -   Spadix.—Size: Length: 11-41 mm. Diameter: 3-8 mm. Color:             Between Yellow Group RHS 12A and 14A. Position relative to             spathe: Upright.         -   Peduncle.—Size: Length: 15-33 cm. Diameter: 6-12 mm. Color:             The upper part is between Green Group RHS 137A and 143A, the             lower part is Green-White Group RHS 157C. Texture: Smooth.         -   Reproductive organs.—Location of female organs: Basal             position of the spadix. Location of male organs: Upper             position of the spadix. Perianth: Conspicuous. Stamens:             Presence: Not visible before pollen release. Number: More             than 20. Pollen amount: Abundant; similar to ‘Picasso’ (U.S.             Plant Pat. No 15,282). Color: Between White Group RHS 155A             and 155B. Anther: Shape: Round. Length: Less than 1 mm.             Color: Between Green-Yellow Group RHS 1A and Yellow Group             RHS 2C. Filament: Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Between             White Group RHS 155A and 155B. Pistils: Number: 15 to 30.             Length beyond perianth: About 1 mm. Stigma: Shape: Round.             Size: Less than 1 mm. Style: Length: Less than 1 mm. Color:             Between Yellow Group RHS 9C and 12A. Ovaries: Texture:             Smooth. Length: Between 1 to 10 mm. Width: Between 1 to             10 mm. Color: Top color is between Green-Yellow Group RHS 1C             and Yellow Group RHS 2C, the bottom color is between White             Group RHS 155B to Green-White Group RHS 157C.         -   Seeds.—Length: 4-7 mm. Width: 3-6 mm. Color: Between             Yellow-Green Group RHS 150A and 151A. Amount: Between 1-60. -   General:     -   -   Disease resistance.—No unusual susceptibility to diseases             noticed to date.         -   Pest resistance.—No unusual susceptibility to pests noticed             to date.         -   Heat tolerance.—No heat tolerance.         -   Hardiness.—Not hardy.         -   Flowering.—In general, the time from planting to first             flowering takes eight weeks. However, tubers stored for a             longer period before planting may flower earlier — up to             five weeks after planting.         -   Lastingness.—About two weeks on the plant.         -   Fragrance.—None. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of calla lily plant named ‘Fantasia’ as herein described and illustrated. 